Austin man dies after struggling in water during San Marcos tubing trip

The 26-year-old, originally from Redondo Beach, California, was a current Austin resident.

Author: Shawna M Reding

Published: 10:35 AM CDT June 17, 2019

Updated: 11:19 PM CDT June 17, 2019

SAN MARCOS, Texas — A 26-year-old man who went missing during a tubing trip with his friends in the San Marcos area has been found dead, a Texas game warden said.

Joann Garza-Mayberry, a Texas game warden, said that on June 15, a tuber went missing on the San Marcos River in Martindale, Texas. Witnesses told authorities that Ryan Hyman was tubing with a group of friends when he started swimming toward a lost tube that belonged to his group. While swimming toward the tube, Hyman began to struggle in the water.

Credit: Supplied

Ryan Hyman

The game warden said that, due to the number of people in the river, his friends weren't able to reach him. Two bystanders jumped in the water to reach him, but he disappeared in the water.

The following morning on June 16, the Texas Game Wardens, the South Hays Fire Department Dive Team and the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office gathered again to search for Hyman. His body was found on the river near the take-out of Texas State Tubes.

Hyman, originally from Redondo Beach, California, was a current Austin resident. His friend told KVUE he was a wide-receiver at MSU. Monday would have been his birthday.

"He was such a community guy," said friend RJ Davis. "Everybody knew him and this is a really tragic loss -- not just for he or his mom; this is for our whole city pretty much."

Credit: Supplied

Ryan Hyman

“As tubing on the San Marcos River becomes more popular every year, so do the dangers of overcrowding on the river, in addition to natural hazards like rushing rapids, swift currents and river eddies," Game Warden Garza-Mayberry said. "We ask that all river-goers be aware of their surroundings, stay hydrated and consume alcohol in moderation, to avoid the numerous risks present on the river.”